May 18, 2017 Justice Dept. Names Robert Mueller Special Counsel

On May 18, 2017, CNN reported that Justice Department Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein named Mueller Special prosecutor, “The Justice Department is appointing former FBI Director Robert Mueller as a special counsel to oversee the growing probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 election and possible ties to associates of President Trump.”

According to NPR’s Jessica Taylor “As special counsel, Mueller will have full authorization to direct the Russia investigation, including any links or coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated with Trump’s campaign and any other matters. He can only be fired by Rosenstein, only with cause, and with notice to Congress. He is authorized to prosecute federal crimes that may arise from the probe.”